Your Problem is That You Don’t Understand the 30-30-30-10 Rule

During a network marketing convention, in my early days, I listened intently as one of our company’s young Generation X leaders, Jeremy Rose, took the stage and explained the 30-30-30-10 Rule. I don’t know if he hypothesized it himself, or was recycling a message he’d heard elsewhere, but it stuck with me and has directly influenced my life for the past 15 years.

Here’s the rule:

It doesn’t matter the subject (sports, religion, politics, broccoli, needlepoint, or calculus); 30% of people will be passionate about that subject in a favorable way, 30% will be vehemently against it, 30% will be neutral, and 10% will be clueless (confused).

So what’s the purpose of this theory?

Really it exists to help us better understand human beings and to keep our own sanity in check. In the network marketing arena, apply those numbers as to how people will react when you share your product or opportunity.

As you troll Facebook, looking to jump into political arguments, understand those numbers.

If you’re in a position of influence, you might persuade a segment of the neutral 30 (maybe 30% of them according to the Rule). And with the proper carrot you can probably get the “confused 10” to do or believe just about anything.

The most important takeaway from “the Rule,” from a relationship perspective is to realize that somebody isn’t necessarily stupid or ignorant because they don’t see your thing your way. It’s insane to throw away a friendship because somebody doesn’t like “broccoli” like you do. It’s even kind of silly to be angry about it.

Don’t try to rationalize “the Rule.” Just accept it.

Baseball Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda once said, “Every year, every team will win 60 games and every team will lose 60 games. It’s what happens in the other 42 games that determines success and failure.”

Tommy knew the Rule.